Looking at Qi Wei right before his eyes, Shi Liang finally understood why the Shi Liang in the novel was so infatuated with him.
Qi Wei’s bone structure was refined and elegant, his forehead like the autumn moon and his eyes like a cluster of stars. His brows, furrowed yet not quite, resembled the misty, jade-like branches of an arborvitae. In motion, he carried the stern, awe-inspiring dignity of the wind beneath the pine trees, unrestrained and at ease; at rest, he resembled a pristine jade tree in a jasper forest, divine in spirit and handsome in bearing. His skin was like congealed lard and snow, his complexion like peach blossoms.
Yet looking at this exquisite beauty, reminiscent of the moon over the river or a willow in spring, who was now paranoid and overbearing due to unrequited love, Shi Liang only felt that he lacked his former charm.
It was just like candy that melted instantly on the tongue, sweet yet not cloying, but leaving behind a bitter and sour aftertaste that made one sigh with emotion.
The system’s voice rang out once more: “Host, stop being infatuated. Remember to trigger your own mission. The current plotline is that your feelings for him have completely vanished amidst his day-in, day-out cold violence. You should now be thoroughly disillusioned with him, eager to avoid his desperate pestering at all costs. We are supposed to be following the chasing-wife crematorium plotline.”
Remembering how he used to clamor in the comments under the author’s Weibo demanding a chasing-wife crematorium plot, Shi Liang felt he could not easily forgive Qi Wei no matter what. Yet acting like this now, showing such double standards, made even him feel somewhat ashamed.
But could this really be blamed on him? Could it?
In all his life, he had never seen a man this handsome; at no other moment could he better appreciate the truth that good looks are absolute justice.
He already knew he was wrong and genuinely wanted to make amends. Why couldn’t they just cut him some slack?
Completely immersed in the ocean of Qi Wei’s striking looks, Shi Liang had lost all sense of right and wrong, propriety, justice, integrity, and shame.
The system warned: “Warning, warning. The host’s thoughts are very dangerous. Don’t forget your mission. If the mission fails, you will face punishment from the system.”
These words snapped Shi Liang back to reality. After pondering for a moment, he understood: “You mean you want me to stir up trouble, right? No problem, completely fine! I just love pushing a handsome guy away with all my might while he’s still desperate to be with me dead or alive. The original host suffered all the hardship, and I get all the sweetness.”
The system sighed helplessly: “Brother, my dear brother, please wake up. You can’t go home unless you break up. Who is Qi Wei? He’s a paranoid! He has been bound by familial ties since childhood and has never received an ounce of love. No one has ever treated him sincerely except you. You’re going to lose a layer of skin trying to break up with him, and if you go severely out-of-character, you will be electrocuted.”
Shi Liang calmed down a bit, though actually, not by all that much.
The system stated coldly: “In your current state, there is no way you can complete the mission properly. Calm down! He is a phoenix man who exploited you, subjected you to cold violence, and even found a mistress.”
Recalling the despair and helplessness of the original host in the novel, Shi Liang’s mind finally cooled down.
Thinking about the things he was supposed to say to stir up trouble, and looking at Qi Wei’s mesmerizing facial features, he suddenly felt that there was nothing in the world that could not be forgiven. Once again, unable to help himself, he asked the system: “Can we not do this? He’s so good-looking, I really can’t bear it.”
Seeing him looking like he would willingly die for a pretty face, and realizing intimidation wasn’t very effective, the system resorted to enticement: “Once you finish the plot and return to your original world, you will receive ten billion US dollars.”
Shi Liang gasped sharply: “How much did you say? Ten billion? And in US dollars? I feel like I’ve instantly cleared my emotional hurdles.”
The system continued: “If you fail to control your emotions and give Qi Wei false hope, you will be subjected to electric shocks. That’s the bare minimum.”
“Electric shocks?” As soon as the system finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his lower back, and tears welled up in his eyes. Shi Liang felt as though he were going to die in the next second.
Seeing his body flinch, Qi Wei hurriedly embraced him, pulling him tightly into his arms. With their chests pressed together and his hands supporting Shi Liang’s lower back, Qi Wei asked with worry and panic, his voice entirely altered: “Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
Wasn’t that Qi Wei’s doing? Did the system just administer an electric shock directly?
Come on, Big Brother, I didn’t say anything wrong or do anything wrong. Do you think it’s appropriate to just hit me with an electric shock?
“Just now, you were infatuated with Qi Wei, and your gaze was completely inconsistent with the current plot.” The mechanical, Google-like voice carried zero temperature.
I have a curse word I don’t know whether I should speak or not, thought Shi Liang, glaring angrily. Oh well, forget it. Taking a step back brings peace. As if!
“System, why are you so fierce?! You’re way too aggressive! Don’t be so ruthless as a system. Do you believe me if I die right here for you to see?”
Qi Wei’s face was extremely close to Shi Liang’s: “Brother, are you okay?” His breath brushed against Shi Liang’s face, making it tickle, and Shi Liang instinctively leaned backward.
Regaining his composure, Shi Liang said, “I’m fine.” With that, he gave Qi Wei a push, but failed to budge him at all. He then used all his strength to shove Qi Wei away.
Mindful of the ten billion US dollars and the threat of electric shocks, Shi Liang furrowed his brows naturally and said with displeasure, “What are you doing, bringing me here from the club?”
Qi Wei lowered Shi Liang to the ground, sat astride his waist, and put on an innocent look: “Brother, you passed out. I was afraid something might happen to you, so I brought you back.”
Shi Liang was amused by such a lame excuse from Qi Wei; he would have to be out of his mind to believe such nonsense. “I passed out at the entrance of the club. There are security guards at the door, and they all know me. My friends were right inside the club; someone would have sent me home. What do you mean by bringing me here? Don’t forget, we’ve already broken up. Also, stop calling me brother, it makes me uncomfortable.”
Why was he uncomfortable? Was it because his heart was melting? What man could resist someone else calling him brother?
Just as his voice trailed off, Shi Liang felt the air freeze. Qi Wei’s face darkened, and the bone-chilling aura radiating from him made Shi Liang feel the piercing, icy winds of winter in the middle of summer.
Qi Wei stared at him in agony, his eyes bloodshot. He looked extremely fragile and haggard, a stark contrast to the strength in his hands. Shi Liang felt as though Qi Wei was about to crush his wrist to pieces.
He began to struggle frantically: “Let go of me, do you hear me? I told you to let go.”
Qi Wei’s hand was like an iron clamp, and Shi Liang’s frantic struggles failed to free him.
Ceasing his struggles, Shi Liang simply glared fiercely at him, biting his lips tightly. Even though it hurt, he refused to let out a single sound, his eyes brimming with firm and absolute determination.
The two of them remained locked in this stalemate.
After a long while, Qi Wei’s momentum ebbed, and he let go of Shi Liang with a defeated air.
Looking at Shi Liang like this, Qi Wei’s chest rose and fell violently, his heart feeling as though it had been stabbed with a knife. The pain spread to his limbs; even breathing hurt.
His eye rims turned red, and tears fell onto Shi Liang’s neck. He choked so much that he couldn’t form a complete sentence: “Why don’t you like me anymore? Is it because I’m not as good-looking as before? Or because my body cannot satisfy you? Why did you go looking for that blue-haired guy?”
Looking at Qi Wei, Shi Liang found himself completely unable to say a word.
The sorrow in Qi Wei’s gaze was so intense it was indescribable, so deep it was a bottomless darkness, leaving Shi Liang utterly shocked.
“Or is it because I’m not as young and obedient as the boys outside?” Qi Wei grabbed Shi Liang’s hand. His voice kept trembling, and his heart still throbbed with lingering pain. “From now on, I’ll listen to you about everything. Can you please not abandon me?”
Qi Wei delivered that final sentence with great difficulty, but Shi Liang heard it clearly: “I’m begging you.”
Shi Liang had never seen Qi Wei act so wronged and ingratiating. In his impression, Qi Wei was like a flower on a snowy peak, forever cold and aloof, seemingly uninterested in anything. Yet now, in order to win him back, he had cast aside all his pride, humbling himself to the dust just to beg for a change of heart.
A high-altitude flower bowing down for love was Shi Liang’s favorite protagonist trope to read about, but right now, he couldn’t muster any excitement at all.
Looking at Qi Wei with a solemn expression, his heart felt as though it were being roasted, leaving him with a sensation of being scorched by intense heat.
Yet, Shi Liang still had to push through the plot.
With an expression as cold as ice and a flat tone, as if all the love he once had for Qi Wei had completely vanished, Shi Liang said, “I don’t love you anymore. It’s useless even if you listen to me about everything now.”
Forcing himself to look at Qi Wei with neither love nor hate in his eyes, just like looking at a complete stranger, he delivered those cruel words as lightly and fluently as if he were simply chatting about the nice weather today.
Qi Wei’s gaze lost its focus; he stood dazed for a long moment, and the color instantly drained entirely from his face.
He had originally thought that the things he had done would cause Shi Liang grief and sorrow, but surely such deep feelings must still leave some embers behind. Even if there were only the tiniest spark, he would rack his brains to make a prairie fire of it, making Shi Liang hopelessly fall in love with him all over again.
Yet his calculations had failed. Shi Liang’s words and actions extinguished every last shred of hope in his heart; he was like a homeless wanderer stranded in winter, destined never to see the warm bloom of spring.
His internal organs felt thoroughly mangled and bloody, yet he still refused to give up. He gripped Shi Liang’s hand tightly, as if holding on could allow him to retain something.
Finally, he compromised, uttering words he never expected to say himself, though he had no regrets: “Tell me what kind of person you like, and I can play that role!”
Ah? At this moment, Shi Liang was completely dumbfounded.
Surely he didn’t need to debase himself this much for the sake of love, did he?
Looking at Qi Wei’s grieving appearance, Shi Liang thought of himself. Ever since he was little, his parents had been busy with work and had no time for him.
In his parents’ eyes, work and money, everything was more important than him.
Now, here was someone who treasured him like a precious gem, remaining stubbornly devoted to him despite his absolute ruthlessness. To say he felt nothing at all would be a lie.
With a touch of pity, he gently patted Qi Wei’s shoulder, his tone softening and slowing down out of sympathy: “Let’s just leave it at this, and part ways on good terms, alright?”
Having just transmigrated into the book, he felt only shocked emotional resonance toward Qi Wei, whom the original Shi Liang had loved for nearly ten years, and nothing more.
Looking at Qi Wei, his eye sockets dry and his gaze scattered, seeing nothing ahead except boundless desolation.
Ultimately, Shi Liang couldn’t bear it. He reached out to stroke Qi Wei’s face and comforted him: “Take good care of yourself from now on.”
Qi Wei immediately placed his own hand over Shi Liang’s.
Pulling his hand out from Qi Wei’s grasp, Shi Liang slowly pushed him away. While hastily putting on his shoes and tidying his clothes, he prepared to leave in a panic.
Qi Wei’s sorrow was too heavy to bear, and the glaring white light of the bedroom bulb made him feel uncomfortable. He prepared to step onto the floor and leave.
Instead, he was forcefully pinned back down onto the bed. Qi Wei pressed his weight down on him, holding Shi Liang so firmly that he couldn’t move an inch, and pressed a scorching kiss onto his lips.
Shi Liang tasted a salty flavor in his mouth and belatedly realized that Qi Wei had been crying. It wasn’t until Shi Liang ran out of breath that Qi Wei finally let him go.
Looking down at him from above, Qi Wei let his hands wander restlessly over Shi Liang’s body: “Brother is in such a hurry to leave, is it to spend a wonderful night with that gigolo?”
Shi Liang brushed his hand away, but unable to bear watching him stay heartbroken, he replied without thinking: “Of course not. It’s already this late, I’m going home.”
Qi Wei narrowed his eyes as he watched Shi Liang dodge his touch. Talk was cheap; the moment Shi Liang left him, he would probably end up right in that gigolo’s bed anyway.
At that thought, his gaze turned sharp, staring fixedly at Shi Liang as if trying to burn a hole right through him.
The bizarre atmosphere between the two of them was shattered by the ringing of a cell phone.
It was Shi Liang’s phone.
Feeling granted a pardon from heaven and assuming it was his friend, Shi Liang had only one thought in his mind: answer the call, because he definitely couldn’t leave on his own, he needed his friend to come pick him up.
He quickly answered the call. From the other end came a boy’s sweet, spoiled voice: “Liang-ge, where did you go? I even warmed up the bed for you, but I couldn’t find you anymore! I’m in the room Bo-ge arranged for you, when are you coming over? I can’t wait any longer!”
Shi Liang froze entirely. Qi Wei snatched the phone right out of Shi Liang’s hand, pressed hang-up, and hurled the phone straight against the wall, shattering it into multiple pieces.
He turned his head to cast a cautious and apprehensive glance at Qi Wei.
It was like a spark falling into hot oil. Qi Wei blew completely up.
His face turned alternately pale and red with anger, and even bore a hint of green. Staring at Shi Liang with a complex expression, Shi Liang couldn’t read what those eyes signified, and the look gave him a fright.
Suppressing some kind of emotion, Qi Wei grabbed his hand with such tremendous force that Shi Liang broke out in a cold sweat: “I was wondering why you were so determined to dump me, so ruthless and leaving no way out. It turns out you already have a new younger brother, huh? I’m no longer the one and only younger brother in your heart, am I? Am I?”
Gazing at him, Qi Wei gently stroked his face and brows as if infatuated, his expression a mix of fury and grievance: “How long has it been since you broke up with me? Why could you find someone else so fast? In your eyes, what am I? What was our ten years together?”
With those final words, he slammed Shi Liang heavily down onto the bed.
“Since Brother wants to sleep, why not let me satisfy Brother? After all, we’ve been together for ten years; I know best how to satisfy Brother.”
Hearing that, Shi Liang was terrified out of his wits. In the novel, Qi Wei’s prowess in that department was strong enough to battle for three days and three nights.
Struggling, he crawled toward the corner of the bed, but Qi Wei grabbed him by the ankle and dragged him right back.
“System, save me!”
The system waved its metaphorical hands: “Helpless.”
Shi Liang immediately started cursing: “What the hell use are you?”
Stumbled as he was dragged, before he could even react, Qi Wei pressed down on top of him, enveloping Shi Liang entirely. Shi Liang reached out to push Qi Wei’s chest, but Qi Wei’s hands had already grabbed Shi Liang’s thighs.
Shi Liang resisted fiercely; yet the more he fought back, the more Qi Wei sought to suppress and possess him. Shi Liang’s mind went completely blank.
My dad, my grandpa, my great-uncle and second-maternal-grandfather!
Aah, aah, aah!
Shi Liang’s vision went dark, his mind a complete blank.
Yet Qi Wei refused to let him go. Pulling Shi Liang into a tight embrace, he forced him to feel the changes in his own body.
Oh heavens, oh earth, I do not want to be the outlet for Qi Wei’s lust!
Struggling, Shi Liang thrashed around like a fish pinned by its belly, flipping and jumping incessantly in the desperate hope of escaping the cutting board.
“No, don’t, stop, let me go!”
In Qi Wei’s eyes was an unquenchable ash of death. Twisting the corners of his mouth, he smiled with a despairing and cruel expression: “What do you mean no? Let me show you just how capable I really am.”